The kingdom of God is more than just a future paradise to which modern Christians look for their salvation. In his book The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross, P. Schreiner defines the kingdom of God as: the king’s power, over the king’s people, in the king’s place(1). He goes on to explain that God’s purpose is to complete his kingdom, which;
- Started with the physical creation
- Was inaugurated by His Son on the cross (Daniel 2:31-45)
- Continues as a new creation by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
- Is established on earth for one thousand years at the return of Christ – the King of Kings
- Ultimately comes to earth, where God’s dwelling place will be
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
(Revelation 21:1-4)
Reflections on the New Creation and the Cross
In the cross we see an act that appears as significant as the creation itself. Yet, if we look at the cross through man’s eyes only, we’re left with an incomplete picture. It requires God’s ability to transcend conventional paradigms of the beautiful. All that humanity perceives as ugly or beautiful must stand silent at…
Resurrection – the Bridge between Death and Judgment
We look further into the relationship resurrection has to Christ’s new creation work by addressing how it bridges death and judgment. Death is where we perish if we do not have our confidence and faith in Christ. It’s not the first death in which the unbeliever perishes, but in the second death. That is the…
How many resurrections are spoken of in scripture?
The two resurrections we’re most familiar with; the resurrection of the faithful, and a later resurrection of the unjust, are not the full story. There is another harvest spoken of for the disobedient in Israel, God’s chosen people. We get a hint of it in Paul’s Letter to the Romans. The Apostle Paul understands God’s…
What’s the purpose in Christ revealing himself to the world?
Part of the answer lies within the question itself; to reveal to the world the Son of God whom they’ve rejected or have not seen. Yet it goes deeper than that. We’re probably certain from our expectations of judgment upon the disobedient and wicked, what the Lord intends for the world. But is that viewpoint…
The Kingdom of the Father
In this last article we look at the completed work of Yeshua the Christ and the kingdom he delivers to the Father.
The Kingdom of the Son
In this article we continue by looking further into the work of Yeshua the Christ and his kingdom-building process after he returns to the earth.
What are the good works we’re created for in Ephesians 2?
In Ephesians 2, the author is drawing a distinction between two types of works; those that you can’t do, and those that you were called to do. This article takes a look at this distinction in more detail.
What is the Kingdom of Priests?
In this article we continue by looking briefly into the work of Yeshua the Christ and his kingdom-building process, beginning with the kingdom of the priests. There is a process to kingdom-building, and it begins with the King and High Priest, whose example and preeminence clear the way for those who will follow as heirs…
What is the Real Connection between Israel and the Church?
In this article we look at God’s redemptive work in Christ through the topical framework of the kingdom of God. To do this, we review Christ’s kingdom-building process through the ages with the nation of Israel and with those who were not a people – the Gentiles. What we find is that the hopes of…
Is there a difference between inheriting the Kingdom of God and dwelling in it?
The difference between inheriting the Kingdom of God and dwelling in it is derived from noticing the various characteristics used to describe the kingdom throughout the Bible. In some cases, these references are clearly physical and of the earth, while others are clearly spiritual and of the heavenly realm. This article looks at these differences…
What is meant by the Called, Chosen, and Faithful?
Our goal in understanding the called, chosen, and faithful body of believers needs to be defined by God’s word rather than man’s tradition.
Do You See the Three Kingdoms of God?
This question challenges the traditional teaching on the kingdom of God by suggesting there are three distinct kingdoms. The discovery begins in 1 Corinthians 15:20-26.
In addition to these articles, gain access to the detail of how God plans to conclude his work in Israel and the world during his earthly kingdom reign.
- The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross, Patrick Schreiner (pg 18)
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